How to Prepare Claywork for Firing

Firing Clay Requires Appropriate Preparation, Handling and Storage

Aug 6, 2008 Jo Murphy

Firing large quantities of clay work on a regular basis can be daunting and time consuming. These ideas will help you prepare, handle and store work efficiently.

Once you streamline your approach to preparing clay projects for firing you will find there is less drain on your time. A few simple precautions will ensure that students receive their work in good condition and in a timely manner.

Teaching About the Qualities of Clay offers suggestions that help streamline the handbuilding process.

To ensure a successful firing continually remind students to practice their joins, because if joins are not sufficiently welded they will pull apart in the firing. Be strict about this, firing work not welded in a sturdy fashion is a waste of time. If you go ahead and fire faulty work there will be disappointments. Young students are especially vulnerable if they have set their hopes on receiving the piece of art back from the kiln. To avoid this disappointment train the students not to expect to fire every piece of work they make.

Recycling as a Way of Regulating Quality

Teach the students about ecology and conservation when talking about recycling. Explain why you should only fire what is most likely to make it through a firing. Explain that clay is a natural resource and should be treated with respect. Firing a kiln consumes enormous amounts of energy and should only be factored into lessons when necessary. Teach from the view that every artwork made from clay indicates respect and gratitude for the materials provided by nature. Draw attention to the benefits to the artist’s budget. Money is saved by recycling practice clay. This ensures that the subject remains attractive and affordable.

Protect Pottery from Exploding

Don't expect the students to remember that clay will explode if it has air trapped inside. Show them examples of exploded clay and tell them why and how it happens. Place posters around the room exemplifying good technique. Display pictures of faulty creations with a note highlighting why the work was faulty.

Teach the students about good technique by showing them how to

knead their material so that clay is not trapped inside
hollow their pieces
keep walls to an appropriate thickness
store work safely and efficiently so that it can not get knocked and chipped

Over time students will understand the standards expected and will value the work. An exhibition will be a source of pride and a motivating goal. Because they have mastered the art of hand building, students will develop a personal style.

Stylising a Personal Tag

If students have a distinct and recognizable tag, it will be easy to return artwork to the right student.

Signing work clearly can be difficult for young children. It is possible to use a sharp skewer. By trailing it on its side you will be able to make a fine signature. However, it is unlikely that all students manage this without making the signature scratchy and marred by crumbs. If you must use this technique keep the name short but recognizable.

An easier and more efficient and useful way to label work is to have each child make a ceramic stamp. This is a crisp clear clay stamp. Press the stamp into sculpture to identify the work. A stamp created by carving lino would work too. Children enjoy personalizing their artwork in this way.

Organisation for Specialist Art Teachers.

If you are a specialist art teacher and you teach many classes a week, firing bulk work in the same kiln can become messy. Be careful to keep each class group separate.

If possible,

have a separate shelf of the kiln for each group
create a clay container for each class group
remember that the longer it takes for you to fire and return the work, the less likely it is that you or the students will recognize the work and be able to ascertain true ownership of it

Encourage the students to adopt a style that is uniquely and recognizably their own. This will ensure there can be no mistakes.

Show you value the clay activities and ensure that students have sufficient time, encouragement and guidance. If you can streamline the handling and storg\age process students will be enthusiastic about learning pottery and sculpture.

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